National League struggles continue in All-Star Game

By Daniel Trotta

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The National League All-Stars were loathe to admit it but the American League added further ammunition to its claim of being the dominant force with a 4-3 victory in a marathon Midsummer Classic on Tuesday.

The win, claimed after 15 grueling innings in the early hours of Wednesday morning, once again gives the American League home-field advantage in the World Series.

The National League last won the All-Star Game in 1996, although they were involved in a controversial tie six years ago, and despite looking poor in terms of results, the contests tend to be close with this year's the third in a row decided by a run.

The AL winning streak includes every one of the six All-Star Games since Major League Baseball determined the winner of the contest would get home-field advantage for the Fall Classic.

"I don't think there's any jinx or curse," New York Mets third baseman David Wright told reporters.

"We just need to play better. We know the numbers. We don't feel any pressure. I think once we win one we'll roll from there."

NL players expressed a desire to win but some shrugged off the defeat.

"It's the All-Star Game, how upset can you be?" Mets reliever Billy Wagner added. "There were 10 or 15 years when we were on a roll. It goes in cycles."

The Midsummer Classic adds to the evidence that the American League is now a cut above the National League.

The American League has dominated interleague play recently, this year enjoying 149-103 advantage over the National League to register a fifth straight year of dominance.

American League teams have also won seven of the last 10 World Series.

Still, the 2008 edition of the All-Star Game was about as close as could be.

"It's not like we're getting blown out. We're playing some good baseball games," Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin added.

Philadelphia Phillies reliever Brad Lidge, the losing pitcher, was reluctant to declare that the American League was superior.

"Either way I think we saw from tonight how close it is," Lidge said.

(Editing by John O'Brien)